Park City Mountain Resort Expert Skiing

While Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) is known for its fantastic intermediate skiing, there are some great options for expert skiers looking to challenge themselves in the bumps, trees, and steeps of Park City Mountain Resort. At first glance, there’s not much for someone looking for black and double black diamond runs to get excited about. The lower portion of the mountain that is visible from town looks mellow, with wide-open cruiser groomed to perfection. Don’t let the first impression deter you. PCMR expert skiing terrain is located towards the back of the mountain, hidden from view. Though it takes some time to get to Jupiter Bowl and McConkey’s—the two hotspots for black and double black terrain—your time will be rewarded in the form of short, steep bowls, gladed tree runs, and untouched powder.

If you’re an expert skier looking for high-speed turns, Park City Mountain Resort’s 13 Signature Runs are groomed regularly, and their steep pitches and perfectly groomed conditions are great for carving fast turns, just like the Olympic ski racers did during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Park City.

Park City Mountain Resort expert terrain

After leaving behind the high-speed six-pack chairlifts of the lower mountain, PCMR's Jupiter Lift will feel like you’ve arrived at a totally different resort. Jupiter Bowl is the name given to the large amphitheater of expert terrain accessed by the Jupiter Lift.

The promise of untracked powder—even days after a storm—lures locals to Jupiter Bowl. There are steep shots through the trees off to the skier’s right off of the Jupiter Lift, with perfectly spaced glades guiding expert skiers through the bottom portion. 6 Bells is the chute to ski for a challenge, and deep powder found after booting up to Dead Tree is worth the sweat equity.

To the skier’s left side of Jupiter Lift, Scott’s Bowl is a must-hit. You’ll see tons of options dropping off the ridge as you traverse from the chairlift, but stay disciplined and don’t get powder fever. Scott’s Bowl is wide-open, often times untouched, and the spot to lay down film-worthy turns when the snow conditions align.

The bootpack to the summit of Jupiter Peak only takes about 15 minutes if you’re in fairly good shape and the run from the top rewards those willing to earn their turns. The skiing off of Jupiter Peak boasts a bit of exposure, but there’s nothing too gnarly up there. Machetes and Puma Bowl are the iconic lines off the face of Jupiter Peak. The cornice off of Machetes is fun to hit, and the terrain in Puma Bowl—a few rocks to jump off and chutes to navigate—is a favorite among long-time Park City locals. All of the lines off the top of Jupiter Peak will lead you to the bottom of McConkey’s hi-speed six-pack chairlift.

McConkey’s Bowl

The double black terrain in McConkey’s Bowl—named after Jim McConkey, a longtime skier and local legend in Park City, and father of the late big-mountain hero Shane McConkey—is a good balance to Jupiter’s steeps and bowls.

Pinyon Ridge, to the skier’s left off of the McConkey chairlift, is another way to access Jupiter Peak. To the skier’s right, tight tree lines in Black Forest hold snow well and are a good challenge for experts.